Baker, the fiance of local rider Siggy Carr, settled in Tasmania last year after starting his career in Victoria then moving to South Australia.

He served his apprenticeship with Wodonga trainer Brian Cox and rode his first winner, Rich Ruby Red, on his home track on Boxing Day, 2002.

After relocating to Adelaide, he formed an association with top trainer Phillip Stokes.

Now 32, Baker had his first taste of major success in Tasmania as a fly-in when he won the 2015 Derby on outsider Geegees Classicboy.

In the past 12 months he has quickly established himself in the top echelon of local riders and is fourth on this season’s premiership with 35 wins.

Although he admits that he only moved to Tasmania to follow Carr when she returned home, Baker says he is now “rapt in Tassie and I loves riding here.”